Jenkins joins Wales exodus to France

British and Irish Lions and Wales prop Gethin Jenkins has agreed to join several of his Wales international team-mates by playing in France next season.

Jenkins has confirmed he will leave Cardiff Blues next season, with the 31-year-old believed to have signed a two-year contract at Toulon where he will link up the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Matt Giteau and Bakkies Botha.

Jenkins is the latest in a growing line of Welsh stars to head to France, following Mike Phillips, James Hook and Lee Byrne.

World Cup squad member Aled Brew also recently agreed a move to Biarritz while Perpignan are reportedly targeting lock Luke Charteris.

"I definitely will not be with the Blues next season, and yes, I am going to France," Jenkins told the Western Mail.

"I was offered a deal by the Blues, but that was after talks were put off about an extension on several occasions.

"In the end, they said they couldn't pay me while I was fulfilling international commitments, and so I felt I had no choice.

"I had to think about my future, just like any player or anyone in any walk of life would do.

"I won't leave with any bitterness and I will give the Blues everything between now and the end of this season, just the same as I have always done.

"But after that, it will be time for me to have a fresh start and a new challenge."

Jenkins has won 84 caps for Wales and played in five Tests for the British and Irish Lions